Members of the Governance Advisory Council (GAC) of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Lagos are split over the removal of Mudashiru Obasa as Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly.
Obasa was removed on January 13, 2025, by a majority of lawmakers who accused him of misconduct, abuse of office, and financial mismanagement. He was replaced by former Deputy Speaker, Mojisola Meranda.
Sources revealed that the decision has sparked a crisis within the party’s GAC, which is the highest decision-making body of the Lagos APC.
The division among party leaders became evident when two GAC members, Senator Anthony Adefuye and Chief Muraina Taiwo, openly condemned Obasa’s removal. They argued that the process was illegal and showed a lack of respect for party leadership.
However, another GAC member, Senator Musiliu Obanikoro, dismissed their objections, calling their comments "childish and inconsequential." He advised party leaders to avoid making hasty public statements on the matter.
Sources also disclosed that a reported presidential directive supporting Obasa’s reinstatement is facing resistance from some lawmakers and members of the Justice Forum within the GAC, led by Prince Tajudeen Olusi, and Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu .
Olusi is said to have opposed the plan laid out by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu during an APC leaders’ meeting on Monday at the State House, Marina. The meeting was reportedly meant to implement the presidential directive, but resistance within the party has complicated the situation.
It was reported that a lawmaker, who spoke on condition of anonymity said that Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu might also be involved in opposing Obasa's reinstatement, in accordance with Tinubu’s directive to temporarily return him to his former position to facilitate a smooth transition.
The source said, "Tinubu's instruction does not also sit well with Governor Sanwo-Olu, but he doesn't want to be seen to be challenging the president's authority openly. His mutiny is done under the table."
Further talking, he said, "A proof of this, is the meeting he had with Mandate members on Sunday where he was honest with them on the stance of Mr President. That same day, he met with some lawmakers to encourage them to continue to fight against any plan to return Obasa as Speaker."